The Summer Solstice: Honeysuckle Dew Drink & Coconut Cookies

In the southern hemisphere, December 21st is a time to celebrate the summer solstice, the

longest daylight hours of the year. While everyone is celebrating the Wintery Yuletide, we

can acknowledge the summer solstice by observing all that is changing in how we live our

days. All that is in bloom, the heat of the sun, gathering with loved ones and giving gratitude

for this season of abundance.

Down by a cool stream, honeysuckle vines creep, yellow and white nectar filled flowers

drooping heavy with their scent. A fairy's favourite drink, honeysuckle dew.

Elsie: "What's a fairy's favourite thing to do?"

Frances: "Dance."

Frances: "What's a fairy's favourite drink?"

Elsie: "Honeysuckle dew!"

- Fairytale: A True Story, 1997 Movie.

These seasonal recipes include an icy cool nectar filled drink paired with a floral crumbly

cookie to add a bit of crunch to this fairy picnic.

Honeysuckle Dew

- 1 cup of honeysuckle flowers

- 1 cup of maple syrup

Rinse the honeysuckle flowers and place them in a clean jar, fill jar with maple syrup.

Leave in the fridge to infuse for three days, shaking daily.

Strain the flowers out of the syrup and store in the fridge, this will stay fresh for approximately three weeks.

To make a drink:

Add 1 tablespoon of honeysuckle syrup to 250ml sparkling water.

Optional extras:

Freeze honeysuckle flowers into ice cubes to add to the drink.

Orange slices and berries to garnish. For an alcohol version add 1 ounce of gin or vodka.

Honeysuckle Coconut Cookies

- 1 cup desiccated coconut (and extra for dusting)

- 1 cup of gluten-free or plain flour

- ¼ cup rolled quinoa (or oats if not GF)

- 1 tablespoon baking powder

- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder

- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

- 1 Large apple

- 2 Tablespoons honeysuckle-infused maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius

Remove seeds and add apple to blender. Blend the apple with the vanilla essence and

syrup. In a separate bowl mix coconut, flour, quinoa, baking powder and arrowroot powder.

Add both mixtures together, and stir till well combined. The dough will be dry but not

crumbly.

The mixture will make 16 small cookies.

Using your hands or a spoon shape into circles and place on an oven tray lined with baking paper.

Cook for 10-12 minutes. After removing from the oven, dust the cookies with extra desiccated coconut while still warm.

Now fill a tray, pour a glass and celebrate the summer solstice with the Fae!

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